Netdisco

Description

Netdisco is an Open Source web-based network management tool.

Designed for moderate to large networks, configuration information and connection data for network devices are retrieved by SNMP. With Netdisco you can locate the switch port of an end-user system by IP or MAC address. Data is stored using a SQL database for scalability and speed.

Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) optionally provides automatic discovery of the network topology. The network is inventoried by both device model and operating system (like IOS). Netdisco uses router ARP tables and L2 switch MAC forwarding tables to locate nodes on physical ports and track them by their IP addresses. For each node, a time stamped history of the ports it has visited and the IP addresses it has used is maintained. Netdisco gets all its data, including CDP topology information, with SNMP polls and DNS queries. It does not use CLI access and has no need for privilege passwords. Security

Extremely good but outdated. Gets all Cisco and HP switches. Pity doesn't pick up on Dlink Wireless access points.

Great information. If you are fimiliar with Cisco Works, its like Cisco Works lite (not to mention free). There are a few things I would like to add/change but doesn't seem to be being developed since 2007. Shame.

I have been using NetDisco for a few years now and I have to say that it is a great tool for any Sys Admin wanting to gather quick information on devices connected to the network or simply find missing devices on the network (particulary good if you work on an engineering environment). I can wait for an update on this tool, It beats many of the Paid ones out there. Luis D